Former Girl Group Member Explains Her Expulsion From The Group And How Lee Hyori Replaced Her

Former 90’s girl group member, Chae Eun Jung made a guest appearance on South Korean Foreigners along with a few other girl group members for the most recent episode of the program. During her time on the show, the former Cleo member reminisced on her past and shared stories from her previous girl group days.

Chae Eun Jung first shared the story of how she was cast into an agency and how she ended up in a girl group lineup.

Starting in middle school, anytime I would walk around on the street, I would receive business cards [from entertainment agencies]. At the time, my family was against the idea of their daughter becoming a singer so I didn’t do it. Later down the road, however, I was street casted again and that’s when I was able to pursue it.

— Chae Eun Jung

The former Cleo member then revealed with the studio of South Korean Foreigners that before Cleo, she was actually a part of Fin.K.L‘s final line up.

That’s when I began to practice as a member of Fin.K.L.

— Chae Eun Jung

Her days as a Fin.K.L member was short lived, however, as Chae Eun Jung continued with her story and explained why she was terminated from the team.

As I was practicing, I wanted to play instead of practice so I would hide. That’s the reason why I was expelled.

— Chae Eun Jung

When the host Kim Yong Man asked, “after your expulsion, who replaced you?” she shocked the viewers with her answer.

Lee Hyori took my place. Later on, I ended up debuting with Cleo, but I had many regrets and was really upset. When I would meet the Fin.K.L members, I would greet them but I would run away. It’s a painful memory.

— Chae Eun Jung

Debuting in 1999, Cleo was one of the original girl groups in South Korea, promoting at the same time as Fin.K.L and S.E.S. Their debut song “Good Time” saw initial success, leading them into popularity for the duration of their career. While the trio saw popularity during their promotions, they unfortunately fell short in comparison to Fin.K.L and S.E.S’s massive nationwide success. Chae Eun Jung eventually departed the group and the trio went through numerous member changes before disbanding in 2005.